Fastener



May 27., 1924. l 1,495,431 L. M. PARKER v FASTENER Filed Jan. 14 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 27, 1924. 1,495,431 Y* L. M. PARKER y FASTENER Filed Jan. 14 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wavy/fw?.

tormey Patented `May 27, 1924.

LESLIE M. PARKER, 0F EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

FASTENER.

Application filed January 14, 1922. Serial No. 5255247.

T0 all lwho/m t may concern.'

Be it known that I, LESLIE M. PARKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Evanston7 in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to holding clips of the type intended primarily for use in con nection with perforated sheets of paper7 although it may be used with perforated sheets of other material or with sheets of paper or other material which are provided in their edges with grooves rather than perforations.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatieally in the accompanying drawings wherein 'Figure 1 is a plan of a portion of a pile of sheets of paper with my clip in each. Figure 2 is a vertical cross section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal cross section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a side elevation of the clip elements removed from the paper. Figure is an end elevation of the lower clip element. 'Figure 6 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the upper clip element showing in detail the construction of the engaging teeth. Figure 7 is a View similar to Figure 6 showing a modified form of the upper clip element in which that element is formed from a sheet of metal. Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing the upper clip element of Figure 7 in use. Figure 9 is a view similar' to 'Figure 8 showing further modification of the upper clip element of Figure 7. Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing another modified form of the upper clip element. Figure .l2 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing this modified form in greater detail. Figure 11 is a view similar to 4Figure 2 showing this form of clip in use. Figure 13 is a further modification. Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 11 on an enlarged scale showing this form.

Like parts are designated by like characters throughout. A are sheets of paper or other similar flat perforated material. They are perforated as at A1 and from this perforation there extends .to the edge of the sheet a slot A2. B is the lower clip element. It is formed preferably of a single sheet of strip metal. It is provided with the upwardly extending shank B1 which may be made of flexible material and terminates in a downwardly bent hook point B2 which is preferably flexible and can be slightly sprung as two engaging members are moved together. The working edge of this point may be of any suitable shape although I have shown it here as being slightly rounded. L3 is a short upwardly extending point in the body of the clip element B. It is intend ed to penetrate and engage the lower part of the pile of sheets as shown in Figure 2. C is the upper clip element which is formed as shown in Figure 4 of a solid shank more or less circular in cross section provided in one edge with a series of notches C1. These 'notches as shown in Figure 6 are provided with downwardly beveled engaging faces C2. These faces are provided in order that when the clip member C is withdrawn from the perforations in the sheets of paper the notches will not stick into or engage the papers. This clip member can therefore readily be withdrawn. The members are held in touch and engagement by the contact of the back of each with the interior of the perforation. C is a laterally extending base portion ofthe clip C and is adapted to be downwardly bent at its upper end as indicated in full lines in 'Figure 2 and in dotted lines in Figure `1. The base portion C3 thus serves to engage the edge of the pile of sheets and to prevent accidental rota-` tion of the clip member C. When the portion C3 is not downwardly bent the clip member C may be rotated by means of the part C3 and may be removed from the perforatio-n.

As shown in Figure 7 there is provided a different form of upper clip member. The clip D is formed from a single strip of sheet metal. lt is somewhat channelled'as at D1 and in the face of the channel the series of notches D2 are formed. These notches may be cut in the face ofthe channel or they may be pressed in without actually breaking the metal. At its upper end the member D is provided with a laterally extendingtongue or base portion D3 similar to the tongue or base portion C3 described above and the function of the tongue D? is the same as that of the tongue C3. As shown in Figure 9 the edges D4 of member D are inwardly bent and they are thus less likely to engage the paper when the member D is rotated. The member D as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, is adapted to cooperate with the lower clip member B in exactly the same manner as that described above in connection with Figures 1 to G inclusive.

In Figures 10, 11 and 12 I have shown a further modification of the upper clip member. In these figures the clip member is formed of a single strip or ribbon of sheet metal. The clip member is thus formed of a single strip E which is provided in one face with a plurality of notches F1. It is provided at its upper end with a laterally extending tongue E2 which is used in the same manner as the laterally extending tongues C3 and D3 described above. In this form of the clip the lower clip member is again the same as that shown in the previous figures and described above. It is, however, used in a slightly different manner. Instead of being positioned so that the back of the lower clip member is toward the slot A2 in the perforations, this member is moved to an angle of 900 and thus the upwardly extending portion is to one side of the slot A2 and does not cover o'r close it as in the forms described above. y

InFignres 1K3 and 14 I have shown still a further modification. In thisform the clip is made up of the lower portion F, which is formed with one face substantially straight and the other substantially on the arc of the circle concentric with the perforations, although these forms may be somewhat departed from. In the flat face of this member there are formed a plurality of notches F. These notches may be slanted so as to have a wedge action or they may be generally parallel to the sheets of paper with which the clip is used. The member F is fixed to a plate F which is providedwith an upwardly extending point F3 adapted to en gage the sheets of paper so as to prevent accidental rotation of this member. The up per clip member is formed of the shaft (i which is generally circular in cross-section. It is provided with a plurality of laterally extending flanges G1 which correspond to the notches F1 and will of course be either in the form of a screw 'thread or straight notches to correspond to the member F. At the upper end of the shaft G it is secured to a plate G2 which is adapted to be bent about the edge of the paper in the manner shown in Figure 1st and described above in connection with Figures 2 and 4l and thus to prevent accidental rotation of the parts. The shape of the edges of the notches and flanges shown in Figures 13 and 14; is preferably that of the edges of the notches shown in Figure 6. lVhile this form is not essential it is desirable in order to facilitate the withdrawal of these members from the perforation.

Although I have described and shown in each case the xedpoiut as being on a lower clip member and the laterally extending raeaaei flexible tongue as being on the upper clip member I might prefer to reverse this arrangement and put the fixed point on the upper member and the laterally extended tongue on the lower member. And I might also for some purposes prefer to have a laterally extended tongue on each member, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the form shown. The important point in this connection is to hold each clip member against accidental rotation and I do not wish to be limited to any specific form for doing this.

Although I have shown in my invention an operative mechanism, still it will be understood that many changes both in form, shape and arrangement of parts might be made without departing materially from the spirit of my invention.

lf/Vhere I speak of the members of the fastener as being upwardly extending or downwardly extending it will be understood that I refer to them as shown in the drawings. It will be obvious that the position of the fasteners might be reversed from that shown in the drawings, and it will also be obvious that the operation of the two fastening members is the same, irrespective of the position of the pile of papers with. which they are used. The expressions upwardly extending and downwardly extending have therefore been used merely for clearness, and they are not to be considered limitations.

While I have shown in each form the hook portion as being provided with a short upwardly extending point, and the notched portion as being provided with a flexible laterally extending tongue, it will be understood that this arrangement might be re versed, and also that each of the portions might be provided with the fiexible tongue without departing from the spirit of my invention.

The use and operation of this invention is as follows:

lVhen it is desired to secure together a plurality of perforated sheets, these sheets are arranged in a pile so that the perforations all correspond. (lne of the lower clip members is inserted in each row of perforations and the point which its base plate carries is pressed into the papers so as to hold it against rotation. Then this has been done one of the upper clip members is inserted into each row of perforations so as to engage with the lower clip members already inserted. In the forms shown in Figures 1 to 12 inclusive, a lower clip member provided with the small outwardly extend tion, and it is not necessary to turn it so that the notches will not engage the hook, although this may be done to save wear upon the hook. In any event, when the upper clip member has been pressed down so that its base is in rm contact with the upper sheet of paperV it is moved so that its teeth engage with the hook on the lower plate member unless they are already engaged, and the outer end ofthe laterally extending tongue is then bent downward about the rear edge of the pile of sheets, `and the upper clip member is thus held against accidental rotation. l

In the form shown in Figures 13 and 14, since both the upper and lower clip member lare rigid and providedv with rigid notches or teeth, they cannot be sprung together. The lower member is preferably inserted in the manner above described. The upper member must be turned so that when it is being inserted one of its smooth sides comes in Contact with the notches inthe lower member. When it has been completely inserted it is then rotated by its base, and so the flanges or teeth upon it are brought into engagement with the notches on the lower plate, and it is thus held in engagement thereby. When this has been done the laterally extending tongue or plate is downwardly bent about the rear of the pile of sheets as above described and the union is complete. Y

In order to separate the `clip in any of the forms shown, the tongue on the upper member is bent up so that it no longer engages the rear of the pile of paper, and the upper clip member may thereupon be rotated by it so that the upper and lower clip members are brought out of gripping engagement, and either of the members may thereupon be `withdrawn from the perforation,

' and the other one may thereupon be withdrawn or, if preferable, they may both be simultaneously withdrawn.

l claim l. Asa new article of manufacture a fastening device for securing together a pluralityof perforated sheets, said device comprising a pair of interlocking members adapted to be inserted within a perforation of said sheets and adapted, when in one relative rotational position, to engage each other to prevent relative longitudinal separation, and free to have relative longitudinal movement when rotated from such position, said members being normally in contact with the interior of saidperforation and adapted to be held against lateral disengagement by their contact with the interior of said perforation.

2. As a new article of manufacture a fastening device for securing together a plurality of perforated sheets, said device comprising a pair of interlocking members adapted to be inserted within a perforationy of said sheets and adapted, when in one relativerotational position, to engage eachother to prevent relative longitudinal separat-ion, and free to have relative-longitudiiial movement when rotated from such position, said membersbeing normally in contact with the interior ofv said perfo-ration and adapted to be held against lateral disengagement by their contact with the interior of said perforation, and means for preventing accidental rotation of said `memers.

3. As a new article of manufacture a fastening device for securing together a plurality of perforated sheets, said device comprising a pair of interlocking members adapted to be inserted withina perforation of said sheets and adapted, when in one relative` rotational position, toengage each other to prevent relative `longitudinal separation, and free to have relative longitudinal movement when rotated from such position, said members being normally iii Contact with the interior of said perforation and adapted i to be held in touch by their contact with the interior of said perforation,

4. As a new article of manufacture-a fastening device for securing together a plurality of perforated sheets, said device comprising a pair of interlocking members adapted to be inserted within a perforation of said sheets and adapted, when in one relative rotational position, to engage each other to prevent relative longitudinal separation,V

ico

and free to have ,relative longitudinal movev ment when rotated from such position,` said members being normally in contact with the interior of said perforationand adapted to be held iii touch by their contact with the interior of said perforatiomvand means for preventing accidental rotation of said members.

As a new article of manufacture a fastening device fo-r securing together a plurality of perforated sheets, said device comprising a pair of interlocking members adapted to be inserted within a perforation of said sheets and adapted, when in one relative rotational position, to engage each other to prevent relative longitudinal separation, and free to have relative longitudinal movement when rotated from such position, said members being normally in cont-act with the interior of said perforation and adapted to be held against lateral disengagement by their contact with the interior of said perforation, and means lfor preventing accidental rotation of said members, said means including members on each part of Ill said fastener adapted to engage said perrality of perforated sheets, said device comprising a pair of interlocking members adapted to be inserted within a perforation of said sheets and adapt-ed, when in one relative rotational position, to engage each other to prevent rela-tive longitudinal separation, and free. to have relative longitudinal movement when rotated from such position, said members being normally in contact withthe interior of said perforation and adapted to be held in touch by their contact with the interior of said perforation, and means for preventing accidental rotation of said members, said means including men'ibers on each part of said fastener adapted to engage said perforated sheets.

7. frs a new article of manufacture a fastening device for securing` together a plurality of pnn'forated sheets, said device comprising a pair of interlocking members adapted to be inserted within a perforation of said sheets and adapted, when in one relative rotational position` to engage each other to 'prevent relative longitudinal separation, and free to have relative longitudinal movement when rotated from such position, said members being normally in contact with the interior of said perforation and adapted to be held against lateral disengagement by their contact with the interior of said perforation, and means for preventing accidentalrotation of said members, said means including members on each part of said fastener adapted to engage said perforated sheets at a point separated from the interior of the perforation.

8. As a new article of manufacture a fastening device for securing together a plurality of perforated sheets, said device comprising a pair of interlocking members adapted to be inserted within a perforation of said sheets and adapted, when in one relative rotational position. to engage each other to prevent relative longitudinal separation, and free to have relative longitudinal movement when rotated from such position, said members being normally7 in contact with the interior of said perforation and adapted to be held in touch by their contact with the interior of said perforation, and means for preventing accidental rotation of said members, said means including members on each part of said fastener adapted to engage said perforated sheets at a point separated from the interior of the perforation.

9. As a new article of manufacture a fastener adapted to secure together a plurality of perforated sheets, said fastener including an engaging member comprising a base having anr upwardly extending' shank, said shank terminating in a downwardly directed hook, said engaging member provided with means for preventing its accidental rotation.

l0. As a new article of manufacture a fastener adapted to secure together a plurality of perforated sheets, said fastener including an engaging member comprising a base having an upwardly extending shank, said shank terminating in a downwardly directed spring hook, said engaging member pro-- vided with means for preventing its accidental rotation.

ll. As a new article of manufacture, a fastener adapted to secure together a plurality of perforated parts, said fastener comprising one engaging member formed with a base and upwardly extending shank therefrom, terminating in a notch-engaging portion, and a second engaging member comprising a base and a downwardly extending notched portion, one of said members adapted to be rotated before it is finally seated and thereafter being pern'ianently held against rotation, the other member adapted to be rotated, and means for preventing its accidental rotation.

12. As a new article of manufacture Aa fastener adapted to secure together a plurality of perforated sheets, said fastener comprising one engaging member formed with a base, an upwardly extending shank therefrom terminating' in a notch-engaging portion, and a second engaging member comprising a base and a. downwardly extending notched portion, and means on each of said members for preventing its accidental rotation, said members adapted to be held in operative relation solely by their contact with the interior of said perforation.

13. As a new article of manufacture a fastener adapted to secure together a plurality of perforated sheets, said fastener comprising two engaging members adapted to be. inserted in 'a perforation of said sheets, one of said members comprising an upwardly extending spring hook, and the other of said members comprising a downwardly extending notched .membeig said members adapted to engage with each other when in one relative rotational position, to prevent their separation, and adapted when rotated from such position to be free from engagement, and means on each of them for preventing its accidental rotation, said means comprisving a flexible tongue on one and an engaging point on the other.

14. As a new article of mamifacture a sheet-joining device for perforated sheets, comprising one engaging member formed with a base, and a single upwardly extending shank therefrom terminating in a notchengaging portion, and a second engaging member comprising' a base and a downwardly extending notched portion.

15. As a new article of manufacture a. sheet-joining device for perforated sheets, comprising one engaging member formed with a base., and a single upwardly extending shank therefrom terminating in a notchengaging portion, and a second engaging lill? lill llo

member comprising a base and a downwardly extended notched portion, said members adapted When in one relative rotational position to engage eaoh other and to prevent relative longitudinal separation, and free to have relative longitudinal movement when rotated from such position, said members normally in Contact with the interior of said perforation and, being adapted to be held against lateral disengagement by such eon-` 10 tact With the interior oi' said perforation.

Signed at l/Vashington, District of Columbia, this 13th day of January, 1922.

LESLIE M. PARKER. 

